All commercial buildings and facilities benefit from a fresh coat of paint. The advantages aren’t just aesthetic, a quality commercial paint can protect the surface from damage, damp, and rot (depending on the material used).
Painting a commercial building is a big job, one that often requires some costly downtime for the business. That’s why it’s vital to not only choose a paint that will last a long time but understand what you can do to maximise its longevity.
Today we’re going to talk about commercial painting, and how to preserve commercial paint after the final layer has dried.
The Best Commercial Paint
All commercial buildings are different, and the best paint for walls and floors will depend on the amount of wear and tear they experience on a daily basis. However we do have some commercial paints that are almost universal.
Our polyurethane floor paint range is perfect for high-traffic areas or wherever spillages are common. We also have contract and vinyl matt emulsion paint that is ideal for walls anywhere in your building.
Oil-based paints are often best for commercial spaces as they have an overall higher durability than water-based alternatives. They oily compounds are better at resisting standing water, great for any application where damp floors and spillages are common, or if the cleaning products you use wear away the surface over time.
We usually recommend water-based paints as they’re easier to apply and more beginner-friendly. But for commercial spaces, no domestic painter will be taking on the challenge. We’re the no.1 choice for tradespeople across the UK; if you’re trusting the professionals for your painting projects, make sure that Paintmaster is their go-to provider.
Painting Commercial Building Walls
Even in a small commercial building, painting the walls is a big job. It makes sense to do it in stages. For example, if you’re painting a school, you can paint the corridor walls, then the cafeteria, classrooms, and other rooms separately. However, this only works if you have the time to spare. Schools are closed over the summer, giving you plenty of weeks to get the decorating done.
In other commercial buildings, timing your painting can be tricky. Even fast-drying paints take more than 24 hours, so they’ll cause some disruption to your business. With some clever planning this can be minimised, but it’s important to understand how long it will take well in advance, so it doesn’t cause any headaches.
Our emulsion paints are easy to apply, taking only a couple of layers and looking great for up to a decade. This means a faster turnaround, but you don’t need to cut any corners. In areas where your walls are exposed to steam, or general wear and tear, we recommend starting with an undercoat of primer. This helps your chosen paint to bond to the surface, makes the colour stand out, and gives it an extra year or two before you need to repaint.
Painting Commercial Building Floors
Floors in commercial buildings, especially factories, plants, and garages go through a lot. As well as foot traffic there might be vehicles and machinery driving through, heavy items being moved and dragged, and the usual spillages and scrapes that any busy industrial environment goes through.
When this is the case, you need a tough paint that’s resistant to spilled chemicals, and any you use for cleaning. Daily mopping will eat away at thinner paints, eventually damaging the surface below. And if you work in a factory with strong chemicals, a single spillage can leave a mark that no amount of scrubbing will get rid of.
Our polyurethane floor paints can handle even the toughest environments, giving you one less thing to worry about when running your business.
Commercial spaces like schools and especially offices are often carpeted, meaning no need to paint floors. However, paint is still important to protect the surface beneath, so although you won’t see it day-to-day, a layer of paint before you install carpets will save maintenance in the future. Speaking of which…
Maintaining Painted Surfaces in Commercial Buildings
Once the surfaces in your commercial building have been painted, there are a few things you can do to keep them looking their best.
The most important is regular cleaning – if you keep your painted surfaces free from dust and grime, the paint won’t wear out as quickly. However, make sure any cleaning chemicals you’re using aren’t doing more harm than good. Some sprays, cleaning fluids, and even wipes can be doing damage, so it’s best to check which you are using.
When painting an entire building, you’ll naturally use a lot of paint. This is not an issue with Paintmaster, as we supply all our paints in up to 200l barrels; you’ll always have plenty. Once the final layer is dried and there are no other surfaces that need painting, don’t throw your paint away! You might see some scratches or scuffs on your walls or floors that are eyesores. If you have spare paint in storage, you can fix it quickly and it’ll look better than new.
The best way to preserve your painted surfaces is by investing in high quality paint to begin with. If you’re having to repaint every few years, it’s costing you a fortune, whereas we guarantee unmatched durability from our trade paints.
The UK’s Most Trusted Paint Supplier
Commercial painting jobs are a challenge even for experienced painters. You need a lot of time, a professional touch, and, of course, plenty of paint. Don’t make a tough job tougher than it needs to be and invest in high-quality paint that won’t let you down.
If you have any questions about our paint or painting supplies, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!
FAQ's
What is commercial grade paint?
Commercial grade paint, also known as trade paint or contract paint, is designed for professional use and offers higher durability, opacity, and coverage compared to standard DIY paints. It’s designed to be used in offices, warehouses, hospitals and retail spaces, due to it’s durability and capability to withstand high amounts of foot traffic.
What is the best paint for commercial floors?
Polyurethane floor paint is one of the best choices for commercial floors because it offers excellent resistance to foot traffic, chemicals, spillages, and cleaning products. This makes it an ideal choice for commercial building such as retail stores, hospitals, and even school corridor floors.
What is the difference between trade paint and DIY paint?
Trade paint typically contains more pigment and higher opacity, meaning better coverage and fewer coats are needed. It is designed for professional results and large-scale commercial applications, whereas DIY paint is designed for personal use, and easier application.
Why is commercial painting important?
Commercial painting improves the appearance of business premises, by making the building look cleaner while also protecting surfaces from wear, moisture, corrosion, and general damage. High-quality commercial paint can extend the lifespan of walls, floors, and exterior surfaces.